It was a year ago Monday when Robinson Chirinos underwent a life-altering experience.

A fastball from Josh Lueke deflected off a bat and into the facemask Chirinos wore behind the plate while catching the final inning of a Grapefruit League game against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates.

Seemed harmless at the time. Chirinos remained in the game but an hour later he found himself on the way to the hospital with a concussion.

His spring training was over.

His season was over.

There were days, Chirinos said, when he woke up dizzy and nauseous with blurred vision and wondered if his baseball career was over, as well.

"It was tough to wake up with that feeling every day," Chirinos said. "At one point I was like is this going to go away or is it going to stay for a long time. We know in his game you can't stay away too long because it's hard to come back. Thank God I came back in the best shape of my career."